The Waikato Times. THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE, AND KAWHIA ADVOCATE. Established Thirty-Four Years. THE OLDEST DAILY NEWSPAPER IN THE WAIKATO. THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OF ANY DAILY PAPER SOUTH OF AUCKLAND. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1906. THE FREEZING COMPANY.

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8006, 11 September 1906, Page 2

The Waikato Times. THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE, AND KAWHIA ADVOCATE. Established Thirty-Four Years. THE OLDEST DAILY NEWSPAPER IN THE WAIKATO. THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OF ANY DAILY PAPER SOUTH OF AUCKLAND. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1906. THE FREEZING COMPANY.

We heartily congratulate Mr Barugh and bis fellow directors of the Farmers' Freezing Company on the adoption of their proposals for the purchase of the Auckland Freezing Works. The special meeting of shareholders held in Auckland yesterday, as reported in this issue, sanctioned their policy by an almost unanimous vote. To produce this result there has certainly been a great change of feeliug during the lasc few weeks, but in spite of opposition of an | able character and comiug from a quarter that commands respect, the purchase proposals have gained ground in a way which showed that all that was needed for their success was that shareholders should understand them. The Messrs Allen, father and son, maintained their protest to the last, bui the poorness of their case became nakedly evident, when, in place of argument, shareholders were treated to an amusing fancy sketch of the character of their directors. No wonder a iittle impatience was manifested when a group of leading agriculturists were pictured as a sort of amiable incompetents, too good for the wicked world of ordinary business. Our own experience of farmers in general, and our impression of the Freezing Company directors in particular, is that they are perfectly capable of looking after tie interests of themselves and their fellow-settlers, and can drive as shrewd a bargain as anybody. Yesterday's meeting must have destroyed the last shred of fear in the minds of the great body of the shareholders that their company was to pass out of their own control. Nevertheless, it should not be regretted that there has been opposition. From the clash of opinions the truth emerges. It is largely due to the efforts of Messrs W. y. and J. C. Allen that the question at issue has been studied so carefully and discussed so freely and fully, and this was the best thing that could happeu for the company. The confidence which the shareholders have always felt in their directors has been increased, while the directors ou the other hand are strengthened by the knowledge that the shareholders are thoroughly in sympathy with them. The Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company is now, we believe, by means of the most important step it has taken since it came into being, about to enter upon a period of even greater prosperity than it has yet known. Its advancement will be still further stimulated if, following the suggestion of Mr John Gordon, an effort is made to induce all the dairy companies in the province to come in as shareholders. Hitherto none have done so, though some have sent a quantity of butter through the Glasgow work«, and the directorate includes a gentleman so largely interested in the industry as Mr Ambury. If the factories participated to an extent approaching that desired by Mr Gordon, they should be granted special permanent representation on the Board of directors, Mr Gordon's words will, we are sure, carry great weight with dairymen, as iu addition te his other claims to

respect and confidence, he is the Chairman of the successful Eureka Co-operative Dairy Company, the suppliers of which only last week recognised his valuable services by making him a handsome presentation. The Waikato district, in common with other parts of the province, cannot hut learn with pleasure of the bright prospects before a company whose successor failure means much to the community.